Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro is a quiet cove village on the central Algarve, known for its cliff walk to Algar Seco and boat trips to the Benagil caves.
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Carvoeiro is a village on the central Algarve coast in southern Portugal, in the Lagoa municipality. It sits in a small cove, with a village beach below steep cliffs. It is quieter than Albufeira, a larger resort town a short drive to the west. The main draws are a cliff walk to the rock formations at Algar Seco and boat trips from the village to the Benagil sea caves.
Carvoeiro suits travelers who want a beach base with cliff walks and boat trips, at a slower pace than a resort town. Plan two to four days. Spring and early autumn are the easiest months for walking and boats, while summer is the busiest. A car gives you more choice of beaches along the coast than buses alone.
Carvoeiro in five
- Plan transport before you bookCarvoeiro is not on the rail line, so most visitors arrive by car, taxi or transfer from Faro or the Albufeira-Ferreiras station. Without a car, count on taxis or buses for beaches beyond the village.Faro airport to Albufeira
- Respect the Benagil cave rulesThe cave's inner beach cannot be landed on or used, and swimming into the cave or using flotation aids is banned. Kayak hire without a guide is also banned in the Benagil grotto area.Compare day trips
- Walk the Algar Seco cliffs earlyThe rock arches and sea pools just east of the village are a short walk from the beach. Go in the morning in summer, as the cliff path has little shade.
- Pair the cove town with Portimão and SilvesPortimão has the museum and a long beach, and Silves has the castle, so together they cover a rainy day. Both are a drive inland or along the coast, so a car or taxi decides how easy it is.Portimão
Need to know
- Airport
- Faro (FAO), then a transfer, taxi or rental car
- Getting there
- Car, taxi or transfer; nearest trains at Portimão or Albufeira-Ferreiras
- Getting around
- Walking in the village; a car or taxi for beyond
- Best base
- Near the main beach for walking to dinner
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh16°Low10°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 51 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°Almond blossomFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 49 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Almond blossom
- MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh17°Low11°Mild, rainMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rain
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh19°Low13°Warm, easyAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh22°Low15°Warm, quietMayClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 22 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, quiet
- JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low17°Beach seasonJuneClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Beach season
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Hot, busyJulyClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 0 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- AugustClear0 rainy daysHigh27°Low19°Hottest, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest, busy
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh25°Low19°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear6 rainy daysHigh22°Low17°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberClear8 rainy daysHigh19°Low14°Cooler, rainNovemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 55 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cooler, rain
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh17°Low12°Mild, quietDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
Average daily high and low in Carvoeiro, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Carvoeiro
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Portimão
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today25°12°0%Monday: Clear. High 25°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue25°11°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed22°8°0%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 22°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu21°7°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri21°9°10%Friday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat22°14°52%Saturday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 52%.
- Sun21°19°79%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 21°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 79%.
Updated 05:36 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Every year
- Apr–OctInternational Sand Sculpture FestivalSilves, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Benagil cavesa short driveBoat and guided kayak trips; landing on the inner beach is banned.
- Lagosa short driveA walled old town and the Ponta da Piedade cliffs.Read the guide
- Albufeiraa short driveA bigger resort with an old town and bars.Read the guide
Before you go to Carvoeiro
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Carvoeiro, checked
- Benagil cave: landing on the inner beach, swimming in and unguided kayak hire are banned; kayak tours need one guide kayak per six (port authority).Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Carvoeiro
A bigger resort to the east
Read the guideAlbufeira or Lagos?Choosing a base on the Algarve
Read the guideLagos travel guideOld town, marina and Ponta da Piedade
Read the guideFaro travel guideAirport city and the Ria Formosa
Read the guideAlgarve overviewCliffs, caves and beaches by region
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideCarvoeiro FAQ
Is Carvoeiro worth visiting?
Yes for a small, relaxed cove town near Benagil and Algar Seco. It is not a good base without a car if you want to see much of the coast.
Can you visit Benagil from Carvoeiro?
Yes, Benagil is a short drive or taxi ride away. You can see the cave by licensed boat or guided kayak, but landing on its inner beach and swimming into it are banned.
How many days in Carvoeiro?
Two to four days cover the village beach, Algar Seco and a boat trip. Add days if you want to use it as a base for Lagos or Albufeira.
Is Carvoeiro or Albufeira better?
Carvoeiro is quieter and smaller, with fewer restaurants and clubs; Albufeira is bigger and louder with more transport. Families who want calm often choose Carvoeiro.
When is the best time to visit Carvoeiro?
May, June, September and early October offer warm weather without peak crowds. In July and August the village is busy and parking is hard.